The Los Angeles Kings travel to hostile territory to face the Edmonton Oilers Saturday in Game 7 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series. The series is tied 3-3. Puck drop from Rogers Place is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at the Kings vs. Oilers Game 7 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Oilers avoided elimination with a 4-2 victory Thursday in Los Angeles. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead 1:50 into the second period, but the Kings rallied and managed to tie it in the first minute of the third period.
Edmonton regained the lead when D Tyson Barrie scored with 5:10 to go and sealed it on LW Evander Kane’s empty-netter with 1:00 remaining – his second goal of Game 6.
The Kings limited the Oilers’ special teams as they allotted them just 1 power play, which was unsuccessful. That’ll be a big key Saturday as the Kings can’t match the Oilers offensively.
The Oilers have benefitted from Kane becoming a monster in the series. His 7 playoff goals are tied for the NHL lead. C Connor McDavid has been great, scoring 3 goals with 9 assists for an NHL co-leading 12 playoff points. C Leon Draisaitl has 5 goals and 3 assists, but he really hasn’t been as big of a factor as Kane, who is a plus-8 in the series.
Kings at Oilers odds and lines
- Money line: Kings +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Oilers -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kings +1.5 (-140) | Oilers -1.5 (+112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Kings at Oilers projected goalies
Jonathan Quick (23-13-9, 2.59 GAA, .910 SV%, 2 SO – regular season) vs. Mike Smith (16-9-1, 2.81 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO – regular season)
Aside from his Game 4 shutout, Quick has been so-so in the series. He has a 3.66 GAA and .893 SV% with at least 3 going past him in each game except the shutout. He hasn’t been getting to the high-danger chances, either, as he’s 16th in the playoffs with a -0.3 goals saved above expected.
Coming into these playoffs, if I asked what goalie would be the best according to metrics, I guarantee Smith’s name wouldn’t have been in the top 5. Smith has actually been the best goalie in the postseason in terms of the above-average saves. He has an astounding 8.3 goals saved above expected. Smith has a 2.67 GAA and .931 SV% in the series, but 2 of his 3 losses have been at home.
Money line
The road team has won 4 games in this series, and there’s no chance I would take the Oilers at -220 to win a Game 7.
They have more talent, better goaltending and the home-ice advantage. So why are we fading them? Because they haven’t done it, and there’s a big cloud hanging over them to go far into the playoffs.
The Kings were supposed to be home by now so they have less to lose. They need to pound Smith with 40 shots as they are 2-1 in the series when they do. Plus, they’ll need to limit Kane.
McDavid will get his and set his teammates to get theirs, but that line can’t do it alone.
This is a major contrarian pick – Pregame.com has 91% of the cash on Edmonton. Which team has more poise under pressure? Remember how the Oilers coughed up the puck behind their net and lost Game 1? Advantage KINGS 175).
Against the spread
If the Kings are going to pull this off, they might need OT. However, in the event they can’t pull it off, they’re going to get beat by more than 1 goal PASS.
Over/Under
The Under cashed in Games 2, 4 and 6. The Over is 2-1 in Edmonton in the series, and the only time it didn’t cash was a 6-0 shutout.
The Kings are going to have to score to stay in the game, or they’re going to get shelled LEAN OVER 6.5 (-105).